Legacy Youth Ministry Resources

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Stealing From Employers

Percentage of fast-food restaurant employees who say they have stolen food or money from their employer: 62.

Practice What You Preach

Tim Kimmel, in his book, LITTLE HOUSE ON THE FREEWAY, tells of a pastor of a large congregation who had just preached a sermon on honesty. The next day, he decided to take a city bus to work. He stepped up into the bus, handed the driver a $5.00 bill, received his change, and walked to his seat. But as he counted his change, he realized that the driver had given back too much money. So the pastor begins to rationalize: "maybe God knew I needed extra money this week" or "I could give this extra money to God's service." But his conscience wouldn't let him get away with it. On the way out, he explained the mistake to the driver and returned the change. But smiling, the driver replied, "There was no mistake, pastor. I was at your church yesterday and heard you preach on honesty. When you handed me that five, I thought I'd see if you were as good at practicing as you are at preaching!" He continued, "you know, Sunday was the first time I agreed to go to church with my wife. I've always thought you guys were a bunch of phonies. But I guess there's more to it than that. I'll see you next Sunday!"

I'm Not Worthy to Preach This

One day at church the pastor of a large congregation approached the pulpit and announced that he would be speaking on thought life. Then, before he could get into his sermon, tears welled up in his eyes. He stated, "I am not worthy to preach this." He returned to his seat, called for a song, and dismissed the service. One of his members said that he always respected his pastor's honesty and integrity after that one sentence message. ? Copyright 2002 Steve Miller - All Rights Reserved

Shakespeare on Honesty

This above all, to thine own self be true, And it must follow, as the night the day, Thou canst not then be false to any man. (Shakespeare)

Honesty and Inner Peace

Since making a commitment to be honest, I?ve known an inner peace that I would have thought impossible. Honesty has a built-in reward: a mind at peace with itself. If there were no other reasons to be honest, this alone would be enough. (Urban, Hal, Life?s Greatest Lessons or 20 Things I Want My Kids to Know, Great Lessons Press, Redwood City, CA, 1997)

Honesty as the Only Policy

If I could pass on only one thing to my own sons and other young people, it would be this: If you genuinely want to succeed in life, honesty isn?t just the best policy, it?s the only policy. (Urban, Hal, Life?s Greatest Lessons or 20 Things I Want My Kids to Know, Great Lessons Press, Redwood City, CA, 1997)

Honesty and Self Worth

You?ll never know peace of mind and you?ll never enjoy feelings of self-worth unless truthfulness is deeply imbedded in your character. If you don?t learn anything else from reading this book, it?s my most sincere wish and most fervent prayer that you understand this great truth: honesty always was, is now, and always will be, the best policy. (Urban, Hal, Life?s Greatest Lessons or 20 Things I Want My Kids to Know, Great Lessons Press, Redwood City, CA, 1997)

Honesty as the Best Policy in...

Honesty is the best policy in international relations, interpersonal relations, labor, business, education, family and crime control because truth is the only thing that works and the only foundation on which lasting relations can build. (Ramsey Clark)

Success and Personal Conduct

?Successful people maintain high standards in their personal conduct. They know that honesty is one of the main ingredients in the character of a good person.? (Urban, Hal, Life?s Greatest Lessons or 20 Things I Want My Kids to Know, Great Lessons Press, Redwood City, CA, 1997, pp. 5,6)

Skit: Which Tire Was Flat?

Which Tire Was Flat? A Skit on Honesty/Integrity Set: School hallway and classroom. If you wish, you can use either an entire classroom of students and a teacher, or only four students and a teacher. Dialogue: Chad (laughing as he walks down the hall with another guy and two girls): ?Yesterday was soooo fun: playing video games and watching movies last night sure beat finishing that boring science project! Monique (Laughing, but then turning serious, pulling them all aside): ?No kidding! But now we?ve got to get our excuse straight, so that Mrs. Williams will believe us and give us through the weekend to finish the project.? Billy: ?Right! So we tell her that after school yesterday, mom had a flat tire on the way home. We all got out and tried to help put on the spare...? Hannah: ?...but they had to tow the car to a repair shop and we forgot that the project was in the trunk! The car won?t be fixed until tomorrow.? (All four give each other a high five and then walk into class.) Mrs. Williams (With a friendly smile): ?Welcome to class! You?re a little late, but...where is your group project?? Billy (looking at the other students to make sure he gets it right): ?So after school yesterday, mom had a flat tire on the way home. We all got out and tried to help put on the spare...? Hannah: ?...but they had to tow the car to a repair shop and we forgot the project was in the trunk! The car won?t be fixed till tomorrow.? (Mrs. Williams looks at Monique, with a questioning look on her face.) Monique (nodding her head): ?That?s right.? (Other students in the class are rolling their eyes in disbelief.) Chad: ?So...could we have the weekend to finish it?? Mrs. Williams: ?Maybe...but first, I?d like you to take a quick pop quiz. Could you please take a seat in each corner of the class?? All four students (with concerned looks on their faces): Sure, Mrs. Williams. Mrs. Williams: ?Now, for the first question ? which tire was flat?? All four students (looking at each other with wide eyes and pulling their hair): ?Oh! Nooo!? All other students (in unison): ?Wooooooo!!!!? Narrator: The problem with lying is that eventually we get caught. And after we've been caught, even if it's only once, it's extremely difficult for people to ever trust us again. So this week, let's try to catch ourselves when we're tempted to lie, or even just to "stretch the truth" a little. Let?s ask ourselves: "Is it really worth it?" Discussion Questions for Each Classroom 1) How did the four students get into trouble? 2) When you realize that someone has lied to you, how does that affect your relationship with that person? 3) When you catch someone in a lie, can you ever really trust that person again? 4) Why is it so tempting to lie? 5) How can we become more honest?

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